Mount Regis Center

The Basics

The façade of the main building of Mount Regis Center is reminiscent of a 19th Century restored planter mansion and is a beacon of Southern charm amidst the rolling hills of Salem, Virginia (in the western part of the state, just outside Roanoke). Housing 48 clients at a time, Mount Regis provides quality, individualized treatment while also utilizing group therapy and 12 step-based recovery. It offers treatment for people dealing with issues of substance abuse like alcohol, heroin, opiates, cocaine, meth, prescription drugs and marijuana.

Accommodations and Food

Though rooms aren’t private, they are clean, comfortable and only shared with or two other clients. Since Mount Regis Center was originally a home, the rooms feel cozy and designed to make clients feel nurtured and welcome. There are ample recreational lounging areas in the building, which is surrounded by fresh air and green grass that’s restorative and healing in its own right.

The food is standard cafeteria fare but always home cooked. There is a salad bar available at lunch and dinner, and healthy eating is encouraged. Allergies and special diets are happily accommodated.

Treatment and Staff

The typical Mount Regis client is between 20 and 60. There’s a division specifically geared towards those between those between the ages of 18 and 25, which enhances the standard drug abuse treatment with team building and peer-based activities. Mount Regis also provides detox, if necessary, under the supervision of experienced doctors and nurses. There are 50 full-time staff members.

Mount Regis emphasizes the importance of understanding addiction and not just overcoming it. Recovery plans are personalized but clients also get treated alongside other residents so they leave MRC not just sober but also fully educated about the disease. Clients who graduate from MRC end up with tools for long term recovery—like the value of talking and bonding with other addicts as a way to always garner support.

Mount Regis Center also incorporates the treatment of co-occurring disorders—namely bi-polar, depression, anxiety and PTSD. When they conduct an intake evaluation, behavioral and emotional histories are assessed alongside substance abuse in order best tackle each individual’s treatment options. MRC then utilizes a combination of active and medical detox with CBT, Rational Emotive therapy, individual, group and family therapy. Two-day comprehensive family education workshops led by a Master’s-level clinician are held bi-weekly.

The bulk of the days here are occupied by group therapy with the first session of the day starting at 9 am, right after breakfast and nursing care. Once a week, clients meet with a personal counselor who divvies out writing and reading homework to do during breaks from group meetings. Clients sit down for lunch at noon and an early bird dinner at 5:30 pm. There are weekly visitation hours for clients’ friends, and family. Some late night and weekend hours are allotted for television viewing.

No electronic games, laptops, phones, headphones and “iGadgets” are allowed. Clients should only bring extra cash in case personal items are needed at any point during their stay.

Extras

There is a fitness center on site and martial arts are also an option. MRC offers art programming, equine therapy and a ropes course, the latter usually designated for the young adult program. There is typically one group outing (sometimes more) per week, which can be either bowling, a trip to the movies or a hike through the countryside surrounding the campus.

MRC fosters alumni-friendly opportunities to help maintain long-term sobriety for graduates. After discharging from the center, former clients still have access to free individual counseling and group therapy for up to three months. In addition, they can attend alumni picnics and seminars on a regular basis.

In Summary

MRC takes a multitude of insurances but financial aid is also available. The maximum allotted stay at Mount Regis is 12 weeks and time there is based entirely on what they deem necessary for the person’s individual needs. Those looking for a home-style experience in a serene and caring environment, administered by qualified staff that is committed to tailoring treatment to specific needs, will find what they are looking for at MRC.